Screening and Validation of Long Non-coding RNAs Associated with Prognosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma

doi:10.13701/j.cnki.kqyxyj.2025.02.005

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: To identify lncRNA and mRNA related to the prognosis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) based on the oral cancer online database, construct a ceRNA network, and analyze its role in the occurrence and development of OSCC. Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas Program (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus database (GEO) were screened from the TCGA-OSCC, GSE23558, and GSE30784 datasets, and the expression profiling was carried out to screen out differentially expressed long non-coding RNA (lncRNAs) and mRNAs. And survival analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis were performed to determine the correlation of them with OSCC prognosis. The starBase and miRTarBase databases were used to predict the common target miRNAs of key lncRNAs and mRNAs, so as to construct the competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network. Real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) was used to detect the expression levels of these key lncRNAs in OSCC cell lines and tumor tissues. Results: Expression profiling analysis identified 23 differentially expressed lncRNAs, of which 6 lncRNAs were associated with the prognosis of OSCC patients. The expression analysis of mRNA identified 282 differentially expressed mRNAs, which were mainly enriched in GTPase activator activity, NOD-like receptor, and other signaling pathways, and 10 differentially expressed mRNAs were associated with OSCC prognosis. The ceRNA network consisted of 6 lncRNAs, 10 mRNAs, and 26 miRNA molecules for target prediction. The qRT-PCR results showed that 5 lncRNAs, including LINC01980, were highly expressed in OSCC cells, while MIR99AHG was low-expressed. In OSCC tissues, the expression level of LINC01980 was significantly increased, while the expression level of MIR99AHG decreased. Conclusion: The LINC01980 and MIR99AHG screened in this study are related to the progression and prognosis of OSCC, and can be used as biomarkers for further exploration of OSCC.

Key words: oral squamous cell carcinoma, lncRNA, prognosis, LINC01980, MIR99AHG

LIU Xuying, LI Jincun, ZHAI Kun, HU Chen, DONG Wen, MA Jian. Screening and Validation of Long Non-coding RNAs Associated with Prognosis of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma[J]. Journal of Oral Science Research, 2025, 41(2): 109-117.

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